Romans 3:1-8

Hey Refuge Family,

I hope you’re doing well and still sitting in the truth we walked through yesterday.
We spent time in Romans 3:1-8, unpacking what it means to have true righteousness—not in ourselves, our efforts, or religious identity, but only in Jesus. We also looked at Luke 7, contrasting the sinful woman and the self-righteous Pharisee. The difference? She saw her deep need for Jesus, and because of that, her love and joy in Him overflowed.

Here are a few key takeaways:

1. Our only real advantage in life is knowing Christ. Titles, status, or background don’t matter—what matters is having access to God’s Word and walking in it.
2. The more we recognize our sin, the more we delight in Jesus. Trying to hide or ignore our sin robs us of the joy He offers.
3. We’re called to know, follow, and share God’s Word—making it our foundation each day. (Remember: Scripture before screens!)

As we go into this week, let’s be a people who embrace being known rather than being impressive. Ray Ortlund put it well when he said "You can either be impressive, or you can be known—but you cannot be both."

Praying for you all as you step into the joy and freedom of being fully known and fully loved in Christ.

Pastor Josh

Delighting in Christ Through Confession

Key Takeaways:

1. Our righteousness cannot earn salvation; it's a gift from God through Jesus Christ.
2. Recognizing and confessing our sin leads to greater delight in Christ.
3. God's righteousness is unchanging and part of His very nature.
4. We cannot use God's grace as an excuse to continue in sin.

Discussion Questions:

1. The sermon contrasted the sinful woman and the Pharisee in Luke 7. How do their approaches to Jesus differ, and what can we learn from each?
2. Pastor Josh mentioned that "Jesus plus nothing equals everything." What does this mean to you practically in your daily life?
3. How might our titles or identities (like "Christian," "church member," etc.) sometimes hinder us from truly delighting in Christ?
4. The sermon emphasized our duty to know, follow, and share God's Word. Which of these areas do you find most challenging, and why?
5. How does understanding God's unchanging righteousness impact your view of your own struggles with sin?
6. Discuss the statement: "You can either be impressive or you can be known, but you cannot be both." How does this relate to confession and community in the church?
7. In what ways have you experienced greater joy or satisfaction in Christ after confessing and repenting of sin?

Practical Applications:

1. Scripture Before Phones: Commit to reading your Bible before checking your phone each morning this week.
2. Confession Partner: Find a trusted friend or group member to be your "confession partner" for regular, honest sharing about struggles and sins.
3. Word Study: Choose a passage from Romans to study deeply this week, focusing on God's righteousness and our need for Christ.
4. Gratitude Journal: Each day, write down specific ways you're grateful for God's forgiveness and Christ's righteousness on your behalf.
5. Community Engagement: Look for an opportunity to serve others in your church or community this week, reflecting Christ's love.

Closing Prayer: Thank God for His unchanging righteousness and the gift of salvation through Christ. Ask for help in confessing sin, delighting in Jesus, and living out His Word daily.

1. How does the contrast between the sinful woman and the Pharisee in Luke 7 challenge our understanding of righteousness and how we approach God?

2. In what ways might we, like the Jews Paul addresses, rely on our titles, roles, or religious identities as a 'spiritual advantage' rather than on Christ alone?

3. How does the concept of 'righteousness as a gift from God' transform our understanding of salvation and our relationship with God?

4. What are some practical ways we can prioritize knowing, following, and sharing God's Word in our daily lives?

5. How might recognizing the depth of our sin lead to a greater delight in Christ, and what barriers prevent us from fully embracing this perspective?

6. In what ways do we sometimes try to excuse or justify our sin, similar to the argument Paul refutes in Romans 3:7-8?

7. How does the idea that 'you can either be impressive or known, but not both' challenge our approach to authenticity and vulnerability in our faith communities?

8. What does it mean to 'hunger and thirst for righteousness,' and how can we cultivate this attitude in our spiritual lives?

9. How does understanding God's unchanging righteousness impact our view of His faithfulness, even in the face of human unfaithfulness?

10. In what ways might we be tempted to minimize our need for forgiveness, and how does this affect our relationship with Christ and others?